Jammu, January 05, (Scoop News)-Presenting the report card of the Coalition Government in the Rural Development sector after completing 5 years in office, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that rural areas have witnessed visible change in terms of people’s participation in decision making, plan implementation together with massive infrastructural development and establishment of a functional and a vibrant Panchayati Raj set up.
“We are presenting to the people of the state, our progress and what we have been able to achieve during the last 5 years of the Omar led coalition Government in the form of a booklet detailing clearly the fairly high financial and physical progress that has been achieved in the rural development sector across the state”.
The Minister was addressing a gathering after releasing a book detailing five year achievements of Rural Development Department here today.
Describing the holding of Panchayat elections in the State despite challenges as a landmark achievement of the coalition Government, Mr Sagar said the massive participation that was witnessed during the Panchayat elections in the state was reflective of the people’s yearning to see change in the rural face of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that this yearning has led to the establishment of Panchayati raj in the state and its subsequent empowerment with the transfer of functions of 14 line departments.
“While we have made every effort to fulfil the promises we made to our people and touch lives in rural and remote areas, we also realise that there is scope to do more and reach out to more village communities”, Mr Sagar said adding that criticism is welcome but it should be constructive for the benefit of the people rather than based on rhetoric and personal and political bias.
Mr Sagar said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been keen to take the state on the fast track of development and the state has seen a revolution in terms of infrastructural development in rural areas. He thanked the centre for extending full support and financial assistance to Jammu and Kashmir during the last 5 years that has helped in development of rural areas.
Mr Sagar said that coalition Government is working towards strengthening the grass root level democratic governance system further by setting up a full-fledged 3 tier system. He said powers and funds have been devolved to Panchayats and all officers have been directed to cooperate and provide assistance to these Panchayats in their day to day working, monitoring and plan implementation.
The Minister appreciated the efforts put in by the officers and functionaries of the Rural Development Department in successfully executing the schemes aimed at welfare and development of rural poor. He said in doing so they are not only performing their duty but also earning the good wishes of this hapless community.
Mr Sagar said, his endeavour has been to infuse transparency in the distribution of funds or other benefits across all constituencies irrespective of the fact whether these are represented by members of ruling party or opposition.
Minister for Horticulture, Housing and Culture, Mr Raman Bhalla, in his address said that confidence level among rural population has increased as gap between rural and urban areas in terms of development and access to basic amenities is reducing day by day. He said under the leadership of Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, rural development department has been transformed into a vibrant department and its working has been appreciated by all across political spectrum.
Mr Bhalla said establishment of Panchayati raj institutions through historic elections that witnessed huge turnout, devolution of power and funds, model villages, establishment of Panchayat Ghars, providing sanitation facilities, Pacca Houses under IAY, and other schemes and programmes have revolutionised the development scenario across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Mr Bhalla said coalition government is committed to balanced development, bridging rural-urban gap besides taking welfare and development to the door steps of the people. He said massive awareness has been created among rural people and they are actively participating in planning and monitoring the development works themselves.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Rural development and Panchayati Raj Mr ViqarRasool said rural development schemes particularly MGNREGA has transformed the face of rural J&K adding that results on ground speak for itself about the massive impact and the visible change. He said it is heartening to see that plans are formulated at the grass root level and then implemented as per the wishes and the aspirations of the people through the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Mr Viqar highlighted the role of Panchayat raj representatives and said that Sarpanches and Panches have taken up the responsibility of working for the betterment of their rural people and state government has reciprocated by devolving power and funds to them to perform their duties at the grass root level. He called upon the officers and field functionaries to strengthen and support the grass root governance process through their proactive and prompt approach while dealing with Panchayats.
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